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Masch defends Torres move

Javier Mascherano has hit out at Liverpool over their handling of his and Fernando Torres' exits.

By Mike Barton - Follow me on Twitter @SSports_mbarton

Last Updated: 03/02/11 10:09pm

Former Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has hit out at the club regarding their handling of both his own exit and that of Fernando Torres.

Torres' exit added to the departures of some of the spine of former boss Rafael Benitez's title-challenging side that finished second in 2009, with him following Mascherano, Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa out of the door.

Liverpool made profits or broke-even on all of those players, with Torres' mammoth £50million move to Chelsea on transfer deadline day now a British transfer record and doubling the £24million they paid for him in 2007.

Mascherano feels the departures of such key players were the fault of the club and media, not the players themselves, and that Liverpool did not make enough effort to keep them.

Torres' comments following his move have been met with derision by some, with the 26-year-old appearing to state that he was better off at Chelsea due to Liverpool not being able to match his ambition.

But Mascherano has defended the striker, insisting players often get a raw deal.

Not surprised

"I was not surprised about what happened with Fernando," Mascherano is quoted as telling espn.co.uk at a press conference on Thursday.

"When I left Liverpool, it looked as if I killed someone. It is sad that the people who did something important with the club have to leave by the back door.

"It is sad that the press and the club try to convince people that it is all the player's fault when the reality is that Liverpool didn't show the interest in keeping us in the club.

"The most important players didn't leave the club well.

"I spoke with Fernando and I said to him that he doesn't have to be worried because he did his best for the club.

"Even though he didn't win any trophies, he was a very important player and

helped this club all the time."

Mascherano moved to Barcelona at the end of August in a £22million deal after almost a year of expressing his wishes to leave the club, also turning down a new contract offered by Benitez in April.